Originally Posted by
koala logs
The irony is I only get "hot spots" when there's too much cushion under my feet like a soft insole and thick socks.
Yup. Many newbies don't believe it, but IME you're absolutely right, too much cushioning is worse, sometimes much worse, than too little. That goes for saddles, bibs/shorts, gloves, as well as shoes. For shoes, if the extra cushioning constricts your toes/forefoot/instep, then you're likely to be a hurting unit. Not only hotspots, but cramps (foot, calf) are also possible outcomes.
I have a stand-up desk at work, I stand on thin industrial carpet on a concrete slab. I tried a cushion pad to stand on, and I hated it. I have good shoes with a good after-market footbed, and with the cushion pad I was getting extra pressure on my arches. I gave the pad away, and my feet are much happier.